Dear Library Story Session is open for submissions – share your stories with us!
Keira Brown
Communications
Edinburgh City of Literature Trust
17 June 2025
Calling Edinburgh’s writers!
What books did you borrow from your libraries that shaped and inspired your writing?
The National Library of Scotland in conjunction with Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature is offering you the chance to read your work as part of their centenary programme of celebrations at the Dear Library exhibition for one of six sessions this August.
The National Library of Scotland is marking their 100th anniversary this summer with Dear Library, an exhibition celebrating the power of books and the value of libraries across the country.
Dear Library Story Sessions is a development opportunity and showcase for writers based in Edinburgh that are comfortable performing and sharing the books that have inspired their writing. Produced by Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature, it takes place 12 – 14, and 19 - 21 August, Tues – Thursday, at midday – free and ticketed – in the NLS exhibition space. Dear Library Story Sessions will be promoted in the Fringe programme online, where people will be able to book free tickets, as well as on the National Library of Scotland’s website.
Each 30-minute session will feature two writers, each reading from the book that inspired them most, and a section of their own prose.
Interested?
• Be based in Edinburgh (with an EH postcode).
• Be comfortable speaking in public and having their performance shared on social media.
• Be available to appear once between 12th and 21st August on at least one of the event dates (Tue 12-Thu 14, Tue 19-Thu 21 August 2025) - each author selected would appear once.
• Be comfortable sharing the books that shaped their own writing.
Applications from newly published writers are particularly welcome (published meaning some form of peer reviewed publication – anthology, literary magazine, newspaper, novel or short story collection). Preference may be given to those with experience of reading in public.
• be no more than 10 minutes, as your time slot includes a book that shaped you.
• not be poetry, drama, graphic novels or picture books.
Each author featured will receive a small appearance fee, and be open to photos being taken in the venue. Dear Library Story Sessions will be promoted in the Fringe programme, as well as on the National Library of Scotland’s website.
Email edinburgh@cityofliterature.com, with the following in the body of the email:
• Your name, mobile phone number, address, and the title of your story.
• The title of the book that inspired you, that you will read from.
• If/where you have been published before.
• Any public readings you have given in the past.
• Your availability – available for one 12noon slot - please let us know your full availability across the event dates to assist with scheduling if you are selected (Tue 12-Thu 14, Tue 19-Thu 21 August 2025).
Please attach your piece to the email, with the story title as the document name. Please make sure your piece is anonymised for the selection process.
Applications or further enquiries should be emailed to Keira Brown, Communications and Community Manager of Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature (edinburgh@cityofliterature.com). Closing date for applications is Sunday 20 July at 5pm. Successful applicants will be contacted shortly thereafter. We do not accept submissions outwith the application timeframe.
